On Sunday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated a cutting-edge BrahMos missile production facility at the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor in Lucknow. The ₹300 crore factory aims to produce 80-100 supersonic cruise missiles yearly. This development coincides with increased security concerns and strategic realignments in the region.
The BrahMos missile, developed jointly by India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya under BrahMos Aerospace, has a range of 290 to 400 kilometres and a top speed of Mach 2.8. The missile is designed for high precision, with a “fire and forget” guidance system that can be launched from land, air, or sea platforms.
Additionally, the new Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow would produce 100 to 150 next-generation BrahMos missiles every year. These improved missiles will weigh substantially less—1,290 kg compared to the existing 2,900 kg—and have a strike range of over 300 kilometres. Notably, aircraft such as Sukhoi fighter jets can now carry up to three of these lightweight missiles.
The Titanium and Super Alloy Materials Plant, as well as the Defence Testing Infrastructure System, were also inaugurated. The facility, which was built on 80 hectares of land granted by the state government, promotes India’s goal of self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
